This letter was penned by 21 year-old Pvt. James Burton Allen (1840-1910) of Co. I (the “Hanover Grays”) of the 15th Virginia Infantry. The regiment was raised in April 1861 and James enlisted on 23 April, just one week prior to the date of this letter. It was organized in May drawing in recruits from across Richmond, Henrico, and Hanover counties. Its first colonel was Thomas P. August. James was detailed as an ambulance drive in February 1863.

James was the son of William Allen and Nancy Hooper of St. Paul’s Parish, Hanover county, Virginia. James survived the war and was married in 1867 to Lucy Ellen Earnest (1848-1923) in Hanover county. James and his wife are buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

[Richmond, Virginia]
May 1st 1861

My dear Father,

I have seated myself down to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and I hope that these few lines will find you the same. I have no news to write but we are drilling five times a day and we are learning very fast and I am more satisfied than I was at first and I hope that it will not be long before we will [get] out of the encampment. But I don’t hear anything about war and I don’t think there will be anything of it. The boys are very charming at the present time and they had meeting last Sunday and I was on guard for twenty-four hours but tonight is a pleasant night and the lights from the camp [are] pretty and you ought to come over here to see us drill. We are going through the tactics first rate and I do wish that you would get me some money from Dale Wicker. And if you can’t get it, I do wish that you would send me the amount by the first [man] that comes over here. And I do wish that you would send me my carpet bag.

And I have nothing more to write. I must close by saying give my love to all of the family and to Ma and tell her to write to me. And Pa, you must write me word how that are all and tell Benjamin Tucker ¹ to write to me. Your most humble son, — James B. Allen

Answer this as soon as you get this.

¹ Benjamin H. Tucker also lived in St. Paul’s Parish in Hanover county, Virginia, as did James Allen in 1860. He was three years older than James and the son of Henry Tucker and Sally Barker. Henry owned seven slaves in 1860.

The following letter was penned by Jacob Shook (1843-18xx) of Camp Hill, Virginia, who enlisted as a private in Co. G, 15th Virginia Infantry in April 1861. Jacob was promoted up in the ranks to Orderly Sergeant of his company before being reduced in the ranks back to a private (“for 15 days”) in September 1864. He was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of his company before the first of November 1864 which is the rank he held at the time this letter was written. He assumed command of the company after the captain and 1st lieutenant of the company were badly wounded in the fight near Drury’s Bluff on 16 May 1864.

In the 1860 US Census, 17 year-old Jacob was enumerated in the household of Martin Baker of Henrico county, Virginia. It is believed that he was the orphaned son of Jacob Shook (1787-1858) and Maria Anna Chisholm. Shook (1802-1856) of Richmond, Virginia. Jacob’s father, before his death in 1858, had been a prominent butcher and grocer in Richmond. His wealth enabled him to have 11 slaves according to the 1850 slave schedules).

Lt. Shook’s letter was directed to a Miss M. S. Browning, otherwise unidentified. Indeed, Lt. Shook himself does not appear to know her except by name. He wrote to thank her for the socks that were contributed and distributed among members of his company. In a most chivalrous tone and referring to himself in the 3rd person, Lt. Shook praises her for the “pure patriotic impulse which prompts the fair donor to endeavor to do something for the physical welfare of her country’s defenders.”

Transcription

15th Virginia Regiment
Corse’s Brigade, Pickett’s Division
Chesterfield county, Va.
November 23rd [1864]

To Miss M. S. Browning,

Compliments of Lieut. J. Shook. commanding Co. G. 15th Virginia Infantry, and warmest thanks for the very excellent and seasonable present of a pair of nice warm socks for distribution to the most needy of his command. While attending to her wishes, he does not forget the pure patriotic impulse which prompts the fair donor to endeavor to do something for the physical welfare of her country’s defenders and sincerely trusts that the God of love and mercy may continue to bless us as heretofore until the glorious day when smiling Peace may once more resume her halcyon sway, when he dare to breathe the hope that he may repeat his thanks in person.

Hereafter the name of M. C. Browning will be another link to bind us to our holy and glorious cause and an incentive to greater deeds of daring and valor. Adieu—that the “love of God which passeth all understanding” may descend upon and protect our unknown benefactress is the prayer of Company G, 15th Va. Infantry and of your true friend in adversity, — J. Shook, Lieut., commanding Co. G, 15th Va.